{"id":399066,"date":"2026-01-08T05:23:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T05:23:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/399066\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T05:23:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T05:23:11","slug":"mistakes-to-haunt-bazball-and-ben-stokes-future-of-spin-bowling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/399066\/","title":{"rendered":"Mistakes to haunt Bazball and Ben Stokes, future of spin bowling"},"content":{"rendered":"

Australia\u2019s Ashes series comes with a cherry on top after inflicting upon England a day-five defeat in the fifth and final Test at the SCG<\/a>. <\/p>\n

The result \u2014 fitting of the series and Australia\u2019s dominance throughout its vast majority \u2014 sees the 2025-26 Ashes finish with a 4-1 scoreline to the hosts.<\/p>\n

The only place to stream every match of the 2025\/26 KFC BBL LIVE is on FOX CRICKET, available on Kayo Sports. | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

But what does it mean moving forward \u2014 for Bazball and its biggest stars, for spin bowling, and for one of Australian Test cricket\u2019s biggest fears? <\/p>\n

These are the major talking points from this summer\u2019s Ashes series. <\/p>\n

\u2018STAGGERING\u2019: THE \u2018GLARING TACTICAL MISTAKE\u2019 HAUNTING STOKES<\/p>\n

Ben Stokes has been showered with praise for his captaincy over the last four years, and rightfully so.<\/p>\n

The all-rounder has masterminded multiple of England\u2019s triumphs during the Bazball era, most notably the 2022 series whitewash against Pakistan.<\/p>\n

However, Stokes still hasn\u2019t lifted what many would consider the England Test side\u2019s three most desired prizes – the World Test Championship mace, the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy and the Ashes urn.<\/p>\n

Ashes tours shape legacies, with coach Brendon McCullum labelling the 2025\/26 Ashes \u201cthe biggest series of all of our lives\u201d. However, England once again returns home empty-handed.<\/p>\n

Stokes can\u2019t be blamed for the failure. Put simply, England\u2019s inexperienced bowlers haven\u2019t been up to the task, especially after strike quicks Mark Wood and Jofra Archer sustained injuries.<\/p>\n

MORE FROM THE ASHES<\/p>\n

Two perfect 10s stun in Ashes triumph as unlikley hero emerges \u2014 Aussie Ratings<\/a><\/p>\n

Bye bye, Bazball: Aussies survive nervy chase as \u2018worst side in 15 yrs\u2019 seals Ashes drubbing<\/a><\/p>\n

The SIX Poms that failed this Ashes… and acts that can\u2019t be ignored: England Ratings<\/a><\/p>\n

Carse CRACKS IT after dubious decision | 03:01<\/p>\n

Regardless, one criticism has followed Stokes the entire summer. Why didn\u2019t he or Josh Tongue take the new ball?<\/p>\n

Comfortably England\u2019s two best bowlers on the tour, Stokes and Tongue took 15 and 18 wickets at 25.13 and 20.11 respectively across the five Tests, yet neither of them opened the bowling until the final day of the New Year\u2019s contest, when the Ashes urn was already out of reach.<\/p>\n

Instead, the new-ball duties often went to Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson and Matthew Potts, who were each guilty of wasting the shiny Kookaburra with short-pitched bowling outside off stump – and Australian opener Travis Head is too good a player not to take advantage.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been talking about this for four Test matches, it does feel like a broken record for us in the commentary box at times,\u201d former England bowler Isa Guha told Fox Cricket on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

\u201cStokes has been one of the best bowlers, he can make things happen. <\/p>\n

Ben Stokes has come under fire for England\u2019s tactics this series.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cStokes has wanted to back his bowlers, but when you\u2019re not getting the results early, especially against Travis Head, if you\u2019re allowing him to get into the game, you need to be able to change it up quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cStokes, for me, would have been the best person to try and do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

There were audible moans in the SCG media centre when Potts took the second new ball on Tuesday, with one of the English journalists moaning: \u201cBen, no\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Tongue opens the bowling for Nottinghamshire in the County Championship, while Carse is more versed as a first-change option. According to former England captain Michael Vaughan, Stokes got the tactics completely wrong.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen Stokes is a wonderful captain … but he\u2019s got a lot wrong in this Ashes series with his tactics,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe tactical side of his job has not been with him.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor him not to have taken at least one new ball on this tour is staggering.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to question the tactical side \u2026 Matthew Potts should have been doing those donkey overs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe best two England bowlers, Tongue and Stokes, have not taken the new ball and that is a glaring tactical mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added: \u201c(Carse) doesn\u2019t open the bowling for his County, and he\u2019s opening the bowling for England? There lies a problem.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes you can be blinded by faith because you\u2019re trying to have too much empathy. I reckon if he sat Brydon Carse down and said, \u2018Look Brydon, you\u2019re not going to take the new ball\u2019, he\u2019d say, \u2018Thanks.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Stokes has indicated he wants to continue leading England until the 2027 Ashes in the United Kingdom, which feasibly could be his final Test series against Australia.<\/p>\n

Vaughan suggested that things would need to change for any chance of England winning back the urn.<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir preparation was very poor,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe stubbornness in the way that they play has been very poor for a while now. They haven\u2019t accepted you need to go up and down the gears in Test match cricket.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis England group have a lot of thinking to do.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have to change the culture around the group. They seem to have created a cult around this team with the way they talk. A lot of it is nonsense.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat has to change.\u201d<\/p>\n

Uzzy bids a final farewell to the SCG | 01:46<\/p>\n

\u2018ODD\u2019 REALITY THAT HELPED AUSSIES <\/p>\n

As England reviews a lamentable Ashes series in which they failed to live up to their billing as a team to break a 15 year drought in Australia, news has broken as to who is to blame for the debacle. Australia, apparently, but not just in the middle.<\/p>\n

It is not just the lack of preparation that preceded the Perth Test, or the \u201covertraining\u201d leading into Brisbane, the abysmal reading of match conditions or the catastrophic catching ability which resulted in a 4-1 series win to Australia.<\/p>\n

Or the brilliance of Mitchell Starc, Travis Head and Alex Carey, along with the sustained excellence of Scott Boland, Michael Neser and Steve Smith.<\/p>\n

Instead a contributing factor is the presence of Australian cricketers in County cricket, with The Times newspaper in London reporting the long-running tradition of Aussies playing abroad is under review given what has transpired this series.<\/p>\n

And yes, Fox Cricket acknowledges that English players do not get the chance to play in the Sheffield Shield, so glass houses and all those things, though several stars including Joe Root have played club cricket across the country in the past.<\/p>\n

But The Times noted that of the 19 Australians who have featured in the past two Ashes series, 13 have played at county level. <\/p>\n

It found that four of those who have not played county cricket are fast bowlers, with Australia selectors apparently unwilling to risk them before the series proper.<\/p>\n

Cameron Green and Todd Murphy, who could feature in the Ashes in England in 2027, played for Gloucestershire in 2025. <\/p>\n

Michael Neser and Cameron Green have played their fair share of country cricket.Source: AFP<\/p>\n

English skipper Ben Stokes did say he found it incomprehensible that his arch rivals are able to play in the UK prior to Ashes series in the Old Dart.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is odd when you see touring players given opportunities to play county cricket before a big series. I\u2019ve never understood it,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cYou never see it anywhere else in the world. I don\u2019t think Australia would sign a visa for one of our lads playing Sheffield Shield games before an Ashes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smith acknowledged that spending time in England developing may be a factor that has contributed to the run of success the Aussies have enjoyed.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of our players have had the opportunity to play some county cricket, playing on some of their wickets, getting used to them, and then over the last couple of years we\u2019ve had players that have played other series in England, so we\u2019ve been exposed to those conditions – and (they are) entirely different. So that may have something to do with it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

With The Telegraph reporting that Stokes and Brendon McCullum are contracted until 2027, former English captain Michael Vaughan said he believes the latter is capable of changing his ways as coach.<\/p>\n

But the Fox Cricket expert, for the record, said the result lay in the way England approached the series rather than the county system offering Aussies opportunities.<\/p>\n

Carey reflects on brilliant Ashes series | 02:05<\/p>\n

\u201cThe methods that Baz brought, the psychology he talks about, that it\u2019s about the top two inches and making sure the mental side is right, well actually England under him have not won a big series under him and in real big moments, they haven\u2019t actually coped with the pressure,\u201d Vaughan told the BBC\u2019s Test Match Special.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou look at this series, at the start, they didn\u2019t cope with it and they went 2-nil down too quickly. So he has to be honest with himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he can change. If he is reasonable and not stubborn, to understand that it is a learning process, he\u2019s relatively quite a young coach and if he is willing to accept that he needs to change the way he approaches the game – you look at some of the details about this England side – and the preparation has been poor.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust the fielding drills in the morning, I watch Australia and they\u2019re a professional outfit. I see Alex Carey down there every morning just doing those little drills and I used to see Matt Prior do those drills, I saw Alec Stewart for all those years do those drills (but) I don\u2019t see Jamie Smith doing those drills. <\/p>\n

\u201cI see Australia taking a load of high balls – every player takes a load of high balls – and I haven\u2019t seen that from the England team, so the detail needs to come in for Baz McCullum to stay.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he is willing to create that detail and accept that he has made mistakes and change the process in terms of the way the team plays, I have no problem with the combination carrying on.\u201d<\/p>\n

AUSSIE OPENER DILEMMA LINGERS<\/p>\n

The Urn is retained and an Ashes summer completed, with the Australians already celebrating a 4-1 triumph over England in celebrations to be led by Travis Head.<\/p>\n

But cricket is a merry-go-round that never stops and while there is more than seven months until Australia\u2019s next Test series, there is much to consider for Australia.<\/p>\n

The World Test Championship cycle is only a quarter of the way through but Australia is in the box seat to qualify for the final for the third straight time.<\/p>\n

How that team looks will be fascinating, with Australia facing big series against current WTC holders South Africa away, New Zealand and Bangladesh at home, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and a 150th Anniversary Test against England at the MCG next March preceding the Ashes in the United Kingdom in 2027.<\/p>\n

But the primary focus will be on what occurs at the top of the order. <\/p>\n

Travis Head, who was the Man of the Test and a clear contender for the best player of the series, looks to have been locked in as opener given his heroics.<\/p>\n

But who partners him throughout a heavy period of Test cricket beginning with Bangladesh in the Top End in August remains to be seen.<\/p>\n

Neither Jake Weatherald, who opened alongside Head, or the recalled No.3 Marnus Labuschagne completely cemented their spot, though both had their moments.<\/p>\n

Which is why there will be a strong focus on the second half of the Sheffield Shield season, the competition through which Labuschagne earned his recall.<\/p>\n

Khawaja reflects on amazing Test career | 04:20<\/p>\n

Former Test opener Matthew Renshaw and emerging Victorian talent Campbell Kellaway are viewed as candidates contending with Weatherald for the top spot.<\/p>\n

Weatherald finished the series with 201 runs at an average of 22.33, with England\u2019s fast bowlers able to exploit a technical flaw that saw him succumb to fuller balls.<\/p>\n

In his favour is that Head likes him and flourished alongside him, with the partnership fruitful again on Thursday when scoring 62 runs.<\/p>\n

Fox Cricket expert Kerry O\u2019Keeffe stressed it was something to consider when noting the combination was able to put England\u2019s attack under pressure from the get go.<\/p>\n

But Aussie great Mark Waugh said that there were potentially two vacancies to consider given the retirement of Usman Khawaja after the SCG Test.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Travis is locked in now because Australia is searching for other openers and searching for another spot with Usman Khawaja retiring \u2026 so that is going to leave a vacancy at the top and in the middle,\u201d he said after stumps on Fox Cricket. <\/p>\n

Labuschagne, meanwhile, looked in excellent touch before being run out on the final day, though he was dropped by Jacob Bethell earlier in his innings.<\/p>\n

Formerly the world\u2019s top ranked batter, he finished the series with 259 runs at an average of 28.77 but believes it is only a matter of time before everything clicks.<\/p>\n

\u201cI felt like I was batting well. All the times that I got myself in, my strike rate was up and I was moving into the ball beautifully, but a few costly errors cost me those big scores that I would have loved,\u201d Labuschagne told Fox Cricket.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut at the end of the day, you can\u2019t have it all in every series. There were plenty of times early on where I had my luck, got dropped, and I made the most of those opportunities and I am at the other end of it now. The tide will turn and it will all come back.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Sheffield Shield resumes at the completion of the BBL in early February, with four rounds remaining in the domestic red ball competition.<\/p>\n

WITH CUMMINS AND HOFF MIA, \u2018OUR SHIELD BOWLERS STEP UP\u2019<\/p>\n

Ahead of the Ashes series, the loss of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood was considered disastrous for the Australians.<\/p>\n

The British media were popping champagne bottles when Hazlewood\u2019s injury setback was announced, with many speculating whether Ben Stokes\u2019 men were now favourites.<\/p>\n

Former England captain Michael Atherton took a swipe at Scott Boland, declaring the tourists wouldn\u2019t fear the reserve seamer after putting him to the sword in 2023.<\/p>\n

But in the absence of Cummins and Hazlewood, the second-tier quicks stepped up the task, helping Australia retain the urn.<\/p>\n

Rampant Starc named player of the series | 03:05<\/p>\n

Queensland veteran Michael Neser nailed his unexpected opportunity in the Test side this summer, finishing the series with 15 wickets at 19.93, including a maiden five-wicket haul in Brisbane.<\/p>\n

Twelve months ago, Neser thought his Test career was over after a hamstring injury ruled him out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign and Cricket Australia dropped him from the central contract list.<\/p>\n

Fellow seamers Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott leapfrogged him in the pecking order, with the 35-year-old missing selection for the Ashes opener at Perth Stadium despite a promising start in the Sheffield Shield.<\/p>\n

However, a trio of injuries to Cummins, Hazlewood and Abbott opened the door for his long-awaited Test return, controversially picked ahead of spinner Nathan Lyon for the day-night Test and Gabba.<\/p>\n

And since then, Neser has hardly put a foot wrong.<\/p>\n

After his Brisbane heroics, including a maiden five-wicket haul, the right-armer proved he wasn\u2019t a pink-ball specialist by snaring another five scalps at the SCG, including the prized scalp of England superstar Joe Root with a diving return catch.<\/p>\n

Boland, who had previously never played more than three matches in a Test series, finished the summer with 20 wickets at 24.95, conceding just 3.12 runs per over. The Victorian was absolutely relentless with his length, and slogging Bazballers couldn\u2019t get on top of him.<\/p>\n

Incredibly, Boland and Neser currently have the lowest Test bowling average among Australians across the last 70 years, with 18.90 and 18.58 respectively. When they\u2019ve been called upon this summer, Brendan Doggett and Jhye Richardson have performed commendably as well.<\/p>\n

The loss of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood was the disaster that never was.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

Australia has retained the coveted Ashes urn despite missing Hazlewood and Cummins for the majority of the series, and the reserve quicks are partly to thank. It speaks volumes of the quality of Australia\u2019s bowling stocks in the Sheffield Shield.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven though we\u2019ve had some bowlers out, our Shield bowlers step up,\u201d former Australian captain Michael Clarke said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey know the (Australian) conditions so well.\u201d<\/p>\n

The skillset of Boland and Neser undeniably suits English conditions, so national selectors will now be tossing up whether they could feature in the 2027 Ashes tour of the United Kingdom, when they\u2019ll be aged 37 and 38 respectively.<\/p>\n

If not, there are multiple other worthy candidates waiting in the wings, including but not limited to Lance Morris, Xavier Bartlett, Fergus O\u2019Neill, Abbott, Doggett and Richardson. No doubt many of them will be getting opportunities in the Test arena across the next 18 months.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s reassuring for national selectors that when the \u2018big three\u2019 decide to hang up their boots, there will be no need for panic.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe bowling unit has been outstanding,\u201d former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the conditions for a number of the Test matches certainly worked in both sides\u2019 bowling favour.<\/p>\n

\u201cAustralia seized the opportunity more than England, simple as that.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a unit, they\u2019ve been outstanding.\u201d<\/p>\n

BROOK AND HEAD\u2019S SLIDING DOORS SERIES <\/p>\n

There was much ado about Harry Brook when he arrived in Australia for the Ashes, with the hyperbole surrounding his series-winning capabilities running high.<\/p>\n

The Bazball prototype with broad shoulders and a bat that seemed even broader when batting on flat tracks had made 10 centuries from 29 Test outings prior to the Ashes.<\/p>\n

But just as what was expected to be a dream Ashes series fell flat given the gulf in class between the two nations, so too did some of the head-to-head battles.<\/p>\n

The outputs of superstar No.4s Steve Smith and Joe Root was always going to be a source of fascination, while Adam Gilchrist was looking forward to Jamie Smith squaring off against Alex Carey in a contest between the wicketkeepers.<\/p>\n

But the box office bonanza was always going to feature the Bazalling Brook versus the Travballing Head and on home soil, the Aussie has delivered a knockout blow.<\/p>\n

Although the latter was promoted to open, the head-to-head stands given the two rivals are the most destructive forces in either side\u2019s batting line-up. <\/p>\n

The statistics are one measure, the assessment of impact another, and the ability to read situations and adapt accordingly is also a talent. And Head trumps Brook in all.<\/p>\n

Skull backs Head for Ashes best player | 00:49<\/p>\n

His three centuries for the summer in Perth, Adelaide and Sydney either won the Test for Australia or were a substantial contribution to the cause.<\/p>\n

The South Australian\u2019s leadership was also impressive. When Usman Khawaja went down in Perth, he put his hand up to lead from the front. His deeds matched his words.<\/p>\n

Head also assessed situations well and played accordingly. In Perth he soaked up balls early before putting England to the sword in dazzling fashion. <\/p>\n

As Fox Cricket expert analyst Kerry O\u2019Keeffe said on Thursday, it was the innings that set the tone for the entire summer, one that punctured England\u2019s confidence.<\/p>\n

\u201cTravis Head scored one of the most brilliant hundreds in a run chase that I have ever seen,\u201d O\u2019Keeffe said on Kayo Sports\u2019 coverage of the Ashes series.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe just hit the ball where the fielders ain\u2019t. Every ball that England bowled, he knew where it was going before they had released it. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis was Travis Head at his enigmatic best. He is a player of the ages, Travis Head, (and was) absolutely outstanding.\u201d<\/p>\n

With three centuries and 629 runs at an average of 62.9, in a position where he was forced into it, it was a dynamic summer from the star of Aussie cricket.<\/p>\n

Brook had his moments, of course, and passed 50 on a couple of occasions. <\/p>\n

But questions as to the price he puts on his wicket arose with some costly loose shots, which included his role in the collapse in Perth in the second innings and beyond.<\/p>\n

England’s Harry Brook reacts after he was dismissed during play on day four of the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo\/Mark Baker)Source: AP<\/p>\n

The 26-year-old finished the summer with 358 runs at 39.7 which, while far from appalling, is 15 runs below his career output. And he failed to adapt and adjust.<\/p>\n

When England arrived in Adelaide with the Ashes alive, Brook said there might be merit in reining in Bazball when acknowledging the \u201cshocking shots\u201d he had played.<\/p>\n

\u201c(I need to) learn when to absorb the pressure a little bit more and then realise when the opportunity arises to put pressure back on them,\u201d Brook said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like I probably haven\u2019t done that as well as I usually do in this series so far. There\u2019s no reason behind that. I just haven\u2019t identified the situations well enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brook was looking good in Adelaide until he lost his wicket when trying to reverse sweep Lyon, with Gilchrist noting he was \u201cperhaps a little bit reckless\u201d.<\/p>\n

The England vice-captain did not learn. In Sydney, as England was looking to establish itself on Wednesday, he got out to the widest delivery he faced for the day.<\/p>\n

He had made 78 in the first innings but his output has fallen short of what his reputation suggested and what he promised.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a frustrating series,\u201d he said this week. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been in double figures every innings bar one, and that\u2019s what I\u2019ve done so well in my career. I\u2019ve managed to go on and get big scores.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt just hasn\u2019t happened this series and there\u2019s obviously been periods where I\u2019ve played them slightly differently and it\u2019s all part of the learning curve.\u201d <\/p>\n

Brook now has a burden to face that his senior counterpart Root carried for years.<\/p>\n

When he arrives back in Australia next March for the 150th Anniversary Test, the discussion will revolve around his ability to bring his best form with him.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Smith and Root endured mixed series and who had the upper-hand, as always with these two, will be in the one-eyed view of the beholder. <\/p>\n

Root broke his drought of centuries with two superb knocks in Brisbane and Sydney and can now say that he has won a Test match in Australia after the farce at the MCG.<\/p>\n

He finished with 400 runs at an average of 44.4 but would love to have made a big contribution in Perth to start the series when England was in a strong position.<\/p>\n

Smith, meanwhile, finished with distinction with a century at the SCG, but his influence was stymied by illness and paltry second innings targets set by England.<\/p>\n

The stand-in skipper finished with 286 runs for the Ashes at an average of 57.2 while also guiding the nation to three Test wins from four matches when in charge.<\/p>\n

Jamie Smith, meanwhile, arrived in Australia with a big reputation but might well find himself out of the English team for the series against New Zealand after a shocker.<\/p>\n

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 05: Jamie Smith of England bats during day two of the Fifth Test in the 2025\/26 Ashes Series between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 05, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

He showed promise with the bat at times, only to throw his wicket away with some remarkably poor shots, but struggled behind the stumps, with Australian great Adam Gilchrist among those surprised by his lack of chatter and volume when keeping.<\/p>\n

In contrast Alex Carey further his reputation with some incredible glove work and strong batting that had him in contention for Player of the Series honours.<\/p>\n

The South Australian finished with 28 dismissals, just one shy of the all-time Ashes record set by Brad Haddin in 2013\/14, and made 307 runs at an average of 43.85.<\/p>\n

Arguably his most important contribution was his ability to keep up at the stumps to Scott Boland and Michael Neser, which played on the mind of England\u2019s batters.<\/p>\n

It was a wicketkeeping masterclass by the popular left-hander.<\/p>\n

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE OF SPIN LOOK LIKE? <\/p>\n

Nathan Lyon had posters of Ricky Ponting, Brad Haddin and Mike Hussey on his bedroom as a boy when growing up in his home town of Young, heroes who later guided his career.<\/p>\n

At the start of this summer, the legendary off-spinner said it was those three who made him feel at home in the Australian team and he wanted to do the same for the next generation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see it as a massive role for the Australian cricket team to put our arm around a few of the younger guys and help them out,\u201d he told foxsports.com.au.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is also important to let them run their own race and be there to support them and help out when needed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even though Lyon is rehabilitating a hamstring injury that required surgery after the Adelaide Test, those arms would be getting a decent workout as well given what has transpired since.<\/p>\n

There is a fair bet aspiring young spinners around the country will have posters of Lyon, Alana King and Ash Gardner on their walls given their excellence over the past decade or so.<\/p>\n

But the query this summer has raised is whether spin has a significant future in Australia. <\/p>\n

An oft-said phrase when discussing inclusion in sport is that you can\u2019t be what you can\u2019t see.<\/p>\n

As Michael Vaughan declared \u201cRIP spin bowling\u201d after the Aussies left Todd Murphy out once again, Fox Cricket expert Kerry O\u2019Keeffe feared what it might mean for the development of future spinners watching the craft being seemingly devalued down under in red ball cricket.<\/p>\n

Head & Smith make dominant tons | 03:26<\/p>\n

It seems inconceivable but O\u2019Keeffe, who played 24 Tests for Australia, said it was possible Lyon might have missed the MCG Test given the nature of the strip, with stand-in skipper Steve Smith blunt when saying \u201cwhy would you\u201d pick a spinner given the current conditions at home. <\/p>\n

If that was an acknowledgment that hurt O\u2019Keeffe to consider, the alarm bells were ringing loudly when Australia opted without a spinner at the SCG for the first time since 1888. <\/p>\n

After the Boxing Day Test, it was determined that the summer was on track to have the least overs of spin bowled this century by a significant margin regardless of the Sydney Test.<\/p>\n

Beau Webster and Travis Head combined for 22 overs of spin from the 186 delivered over two innings in the New Year\u2019s Test, while Will Jacks and Jacob Bethell offered 24 of England\u2019s 133 in Australia\u2019s first innings, with five wickets falling to the part-time spinning brigade.<\/p>\n

\u201cI worry big-time about it,\u201d he told Fox Cricket.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are thousands of ambitious young spinners out there that want to wear a baggy green and affect a Test match for Australia on the fourth and fifth day and the selection ethos at the moment is, \u2018We don\u2019t need a spinner\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe writing is on the wall. If you shut down the opportunity for spinners, it has a flow-on effect.\u201d <\/p>\n

To watch Webster, who surely comes into calculations as an all-round option for the tour of India next year given his abilities, turning the ball sideways at times on Day 4 only furthered the dismay.<\/p>\n

Former Australian spin bowler and selector Peter Taylor told The Age that a spinner remained an option all teams should have for balance. <\/p>\n

\u201cEven if you go to Perth or the Gabba, it\u2019s still nice to have that option. As a selector, we always tried to have that option \u2013 three quality fast bowlers, a spinner and a good all-rounder. That really should be enough to win a game of cricket,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut if you don\u2019t have the spinner, it\u2019s one more thing you can\u2019t do. Even if it\u2019s not going to turn square, it\u2019s just a change, and you need to have that balance in your attack.\u201d<\/p>\n

The seaming pitches and excellence of Australia\u2019s pace attack has enabled the hosts to dominate the Ashes. <\/p>\n

O\u2019Keeffe is a patriot first and said it is understandable Australia is picking teams to win, as much as he hates it. <\/p>\n

It is a point Australian great Adam Gilchrist, who saw first hand the magnificence of Shane Warne, made when talking to foxsports.com.au on Thursday.<\/p>\n

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 02: The likes of Todd Murphy will be wondering if there\u2019s a way back into Australian XI on home soil.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

Australia does have Murphy and Corey Rocchiccioli as understudies for the recovering Lyon, while Matt Kuhnemann has demonstrated his worth on the subcontinent as a left-armed spinner.<\/p>\n

Gilchrist, when considering the future, noted \u201cmaybe the only concern is where it might be with the spin department given I would have expected Nathan Lyon to be playing in this Test if fit, so maybe there is a little bit of uncertainty there as to what happens when he is not fit\u201d or available for selection.<\/p>\n

But he said the selection panel had clearly done its job given Australia\u2019s success in an Ashes where they have been without Pat Cummins and Lyon for more than half the series and Josh Hazlewood for the entirety.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to say that they need to show more faith or back (Murphy) more,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re a selection group that really get their method and stick to it and they throw history and traditional thinking out the window. They, what do they say, play what\u2019s in front of them and go with it. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not here to challenge or fault them. They\u2019ve won the Ashes in a very, very convincing manner. So I\u2019m not here to criticise the selectors at all.\u201d <\/p>\n

There are, of course, caveats. Spinners still work a treat in the BBL and it goes without saying they are essential on the subcontinent as well.<\/p>\n

Former Kiwi captain Daniel Vettori, a champion spinner who is now an assistant coach for Australia, said it was currently a \u201chorses for courses\u201d scenario and that should the circumstances present, spinners will again play a role at home.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeamers have been so effective that it\u2019s hard to go away from them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt just feels like they\u2019re the ones who are going to be going in the game most of the time, and spinners haven\u2019t been able to get into games on these types of surfaces.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt some stage it will get back to possibly how it was preceding these last couple of years, but at this point in time, it\u2019s about the fast bowlers.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Australia\u2019s Ashes series comes with a cherry on top after inflicting upon England a day-five defeat in 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